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2015 NHL Stanley Cup Simulation

Using NHL 15 on the PS4, we simulated the Stanley Cup Finals and we wanted to share the results with you. For the third time in six years, the Chicago Blackhawks can call themselves Champions. Chicago went on to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4 games to 2.

The Chicago Blackhawks figured out a way to slow down the Tampa Bay Lightning offense, and that was to control the triplets. Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat combined for just 4 points in the entire series. However Steven Stamkos and Valtteri Filppula did their best to pick up the slack. Stamkos would put up 5 goals and 4 assists in the series, while Filppula scored a goal and assisted on 5 goals.

Chicago was able to hold the Lightning to 1 goal or less in all 4 wins.

The Blackhawks used a balance attack, as Marian Hossa led the team with 2 goals and 3 assists, and Antoine Vermette had 4 assists in the series. Chicago's 14 goals were scored by 13 different players, that's unheard of. Just goes to show what you can accomplish with unselfish play.

Both Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop had their ups and downs. Crawford despite winning the Cup had a crazy roller coaster series. Being pulled in the first period of game 4, went on to win back to back games, which included a shutout in the clincher.

Game 1 (CHI 1-0)

Blackhawks 2 - Lightning 1

Similar to game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, game 1 of the Stanley Cup went scoreless through the first period, as both the Blackhawks and Lightning were trying to get a feel for the opposing team.

However things heated up quickly in the second as Bryan Bickell was called for a tripping penalty with 3:34 into the period. Tampa wasted no time taking advantage, as Steven Stamkos set up Victor Hedman with a one-timer from the point that Corey Crawford never saw, giving the Lightning the 1-0 lead.

Less than 3 minutes later, Andrew Desjardins came onto the ice at the perfect time as he took a pass from Antoine Vermette all the way up the ice, for a breakaway and Desjardins put it through the 5-hole of Ben Bishop. This tied things up at 1 goal a piece.

The game would remain 1-1 until late in the third period. Andrej Palat was called for slashing with 2:29 left in the game, giving Chicago the one man advantage for basically the remainder of the game. Less than a minute into the power play, Duncan Keith received a beautiful pass from Patrick Kane and was able to wrist a shot past Bishop's glove. Chicago would take a 2-1 lead and were able to hang on for the win, drawing first blood in the series.

Corey Crawford - 29 saves

Ben Bishop - 26 saves

Game 2 (Tied 1-1)

Lightning 5 - Blackhawks 2

In game one the Tamp Bay Lightning offense was stagnant and going down 2 games to none is just a hole they can't afford to fall into. With that being said, the offense came out hot and scored 3 times in the opening period.

Steven Stamkos got the Lightning on the board first with a slap shot that he put top shelf, just 5 minutes in. 8 minutes later Brian Boyle was credited with a goal off a Matt Carle shot from the point that he deflected in. Braydon Coburn would score the Lightning's third goal of the period with just 11 seconds left thanks to a perfect set up pass from Alex Killorn. This was a power play goal thanks to a Niklas Hjalmarsson elbow penalty.

Chicago would make this a game as they scored two goals in the first 4 minutes of the second period to cut the deficit to 1 goal. Patrick Kane scored on a shot that went off the skate of Victor Hedman and then Bryan Bickell would score on a 3-on-1. Brent Seabrook and Brandon Saad would pick up the assists.

Stamkos would strike again late in the second to give Tampa a 4-2 lead heading into the third period. Valtteri Filppula picked up his third assist of the game.

Chicago could not get anything going in the third, and would eventually give up an empty net goal to Ondrej Palat with 1:29 left in the game.

Ben Bishop 31 saves

Corey Crawford 36 saves

Game 3 (Chi 2-1)

Blackhawks 2 - Lightning 1

For a second straight the Tampa Bay Lightning would strike first. They would take advantage of a questionable Patrick Sharp tripping penalty as Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn set up Valtteri Filppula for the goal.

This game would stay 1-0 heading to the third period.

Chicago came out firing in the third, and forced a J.T. Brown penalty. Jonathan Toews would get this game tied up just 15 seconds into the power play. This game was up for grabs with 12:31 remaining.

The Blackhawks would break that tie with 4:44 left in the game, after a Johnny Oduya shot was blocked, and the puck would find Teuvo Teravainen who had a wide open net and put it in.

Tampa was unable to score an equalizer and now trail the Stanley Cup series 2-1.

Game 4 (Tied 2-2)

Lightning 6 - Blackhawks 4

I believe history was made in game 4. Corey Crawford put the Blackhawks into a DEEP hole, as he allowed goals on the first 3 shots he faced in the game, forcing Chicago to pull him from the game. Down 3-0 they brought in Scott Darling to finish the game.

Steven Stamkos scored two the first two goals, and Tyler Johnson scored the third. This was Johnson's first point of the series.

Alex Killorn would add a power play goal making it 4-0, before Marian Hossa scored the first of his two goals before the first period was over.

I guess every series has that one game that was unwatchable and this was it. Lighting would run away with this one 6-4, as Stamkos would complete the hat trick. Ryan Callahan and Alex Killorn also added goals.

Game 5 (Chi 3-2)

Blackhawks 3 - Lightning 1

After an embarrassing game 4, Corey Crawford was awesome in game 5. Facing 32 shots, Crawford made 31 saves and fought off a fury of shots in the final two minutes of the game.

The game was scoreless through 1 period, before each team scored a goal in the second. David Rundblad got the first goal of the game and Ryan Callahan tied it up with less than 3 minutes left in the second period.

Patrick Sharp would break a 1-1 tie with his put back goal on a Duncan Keith shot that was kicked away by Bishop.

After Crawford made a handful of saves late in third period, Marcus Kruger ended it with an empty netter, leaving the Blackhawks just one game away from a Stanley Cup.

Corey Crawford 30 saves

Ben Bishop 25 saves

Game 6 (Chi 4-2)

Blackhawks 1 - Lightning 0

In a crucial game 6, let's just say neither goalie wanted to get beat, and both Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop were outstanding.

A scoreless game went into the third period, when Ryan Callahan was called for a tripping penalty with just 8:24 left in the third period. Unfortunately for Callahan and the Lightning, this would be a very costly penalty. Johnny Oduya was able to rifle a one-timer from Marian Hossa, right past the blocker of Ben Bishop. with 7:41 remaining.

Tampa had a chance to tie this game up in the final minute when Niklas Hjalmarsson was called for slashing with 1:03 left. Tampa would pull their goalie for a 6 on 4 advantage but could not put the puck past Corey Crawford. Chicago would beat Tampa 1-0 and lift the Stanley Cup at the end of the night!